A Guide to the Best Places to Visit in the World: Stunning Destinations That Will Take Your Breath Away! (2020)

Most of us have closeted ourselves within our comfort zones – at our home and our office. We find it easier to spend time with our friends and family and don't like stepping outside our daily routine. When you head to a foreign location, you do not have familiar people around you. You are surrounded by different cultures and values. You move out of your comfort zone and are required to adjust to the changed scenario. This makes you more flexible and adaptive.

Once you are out of your comfort zone and in a different country, you need to take care of your own. Gradually, you accept the ways and culture of the people of that place and try to figure out a way to communicate with the local citizens. It always helps to do some research about the citizens of the country of visit. You must understand their culture and customs before setting out.

If you travel to different countries, you happen to come in touch with people of different nationalities. They will have cultures, customs and beliefs different from yours. As time passes, you also learn to accept their point of view and learn about cultural diversity that exists around us. You are smarter and more aware of the happenings around the planet.

If you are a part-time chef, travelling around the world will help you learn new cuisines. You may try the new dishes at home and wow your friends and acquaintances, which will be a change to their palate. Some bloggers travel the world to understand and taste fresh delicacies.

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and is one of the most eclectic cities in Europe. The network of canals and culture make it a vibrant city. You can start your tour to the city by visiting the A’dam Toren – a 22-floor tower and having a bird's-eye view of the city from 100 metres above the ground is enthralling. It is open from 10 AM-10 PM. Visit Jordaan – a charming neighbourhood with numerous art galleries and antique shops.

Those with a historical bent of mind can visit the Van Gogh museum that includes works of art by the painter. Tickets can be booked online and cost Rs.1,754 each. You can also have a guided tour of the Rijksmuseum, and a full-day valid e-ticket costs Rs.1,778. The Moco Museum is small and does not take much time to cover. It is open from 9 AM-7 PM and has an entry fee of Rs.1,295

You can also find some time out to ride a herring cart or cycle through the quiet streets and visit the Vondelpark. A visit to the Anne Frank House is essential to take you down history. It is open from 9 AM-7 PM. Also, take some time from your schedule to visit the Rembrandt House that is open from 10 AM-6 PM. Animal lovers can visit the Artis Zoo, open from 9 AM-6 PM with an entry fee of Rs.2,032. Also, find some time out for a canal tour and a visit to the NDSM Wharf.

Budget hotels in Amsterdam can start from around Rs.5,800 for a double bed room.

Rome is the capital of Italy and also known to be the 'City of the Seven Hills'. You need to take some time to visit the various locations of the ancient Roman empire. You can start your tour by visiting the Colosseum which is open from 8:30 AM till sunset and has an entry fee of Rs.2,200. Also, visit the Arch of Constantine, which is nearby. The Pantheon, a temple dedicated to pagan gods, is another monument that you can visit which is open from 8:30 AM-6 PM.

Other historical places to visit are the Roman Forum and Palantine Hill. The latter was the religious and political centre of ancient Rome, and you can visit the Arch of Titus, Arch of Septimus Severus, House of the Vestals and the Temple of Saturn. There is an admission fee of Rs.2,205. You can also visit the Basilica of St.John Lateran and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. If you are in Rome, you must visit the Vatican City. Enclosed within the walls is the St. Peter's Square and the St. Peter's Basilica along with several gardens and palaces.

If you had your fill of the historical places, you could visit the Borghese Gallery – a collection of sculptures and paintings. Admission costs Rs.3,342. The Piazza Navona – a central square lined with shops and eateries is a favourite hangout of tourists.

Budget hotels are available at Rs.2,550 per night for a double room.

The landmarks that we recollect about the city are the London Eye and Tower Bridge. We have seen them so many times in several movies. The Tower Bridge is open throughout the day, and you gain entry with Rs.940. You must also visit the Westminster Abbey – an important Gothic building that requires an entry fee of Rs.2,100 along with an audio guide.

If you have a love for antiques and scientific excellence, you can visit the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum. The former is open from 10 AM – 5:45 PM and the latter from 10 AM – 5:30 PM. The other famous places are the British Museum, the National Gallery and the St. Paul’s Cathedral. The cathedral has an entry fee of Rs.1,625. The Tower of London is where the Kohinoor is and also a monument that you cannot miss. It is open from 9 AM – 6 PM except for Sunday and Monday when it opens from 10 AM. The entry fee is Rs.2,765.

A visit to the Warner Bros. Studio and Madame Tussauds is also warranted. So is Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. After a tough day of sightseeing, you can visit the Borough Market for some snacks and shopping. Wildlife enthusiasts can visit the London Zoo too.

Budget hotels in Lindon start from Rs.4,500 every night for a double bed.

Phuket is a beach lover's paradise with the white sand and limestone cliffs. The city is also known for its cuisine. If you are in Phuket, how can you not visit the beaches? The renowned ones are Patong Beach, Freedom Beach and Bang Tao Beach. The Big Buddha is also a prime tourist location and is open from 8 AM-7:30 PM.

The adventurists can take a boat ride to the Phi Phi Island for snorkelling, swimming and surfing. James Bond fans will find the James Bond Island enthralling and kayaking and sailing are some of the options for you. After a hectic day of sightseeing, watching a sunset at Kata Noi Beach is the ideal way to end your day.

A panoramic view of the city can be taken from the Karon View Point that is open from noon till midnight. The Wat Chalong is an old Buddhist temple in Phuket, and you can also visit the Poh Than Jao and Nonsi that are nearby. The Soi Bangla Road is a shopper’s paradise and a great place to spend your evening. You can also go out for cruises and other adventure sports at the numerous beaches.

Budget accommodations are available in the city with double rooms starting from Rs.1,200.

Dubai is a fun lover's paradise with its numerous theme parks and shopping arcades. You can rekindle the child in you at the Legoland and the Water Park. It has an entry fee of Rs.4,180. Another new theme park is the Motiongate Theme Park that provides the branded entertainment from Hollywood's best studios. The entry fee is Rs.3,375. Another theme park related to films is Bollywood Theme Park. Dubai also has several beaches, and Jumeirah Beach Park is one of the finest ones for a trip with your family. The entry fee is Rs.90 per person and Rs.350 per car.

You need to keep some time in the evening for a visit to the Burj Khalifa that is 200 stories high. It is open from noon till midnight with the entry fee being Rs.4,260. You can also visit the Dubai Fountain or visit the Global Village, which is a great place to visit for shopping and entertainment. The entry fee at the Global Village is Rs.300. Also, take your children and your family to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo at the Dubai Mall. Flower lovers will be enchanted at the Dubai Miracle Garden with thousands of flowers blooming. The entry fee is around Rs.700.

Budget hotels in Dubai cost around Rs.2,100 per night for a double room.

Prague is known for its towers and churches that dot the skyline. Tourists can also find Gothic and Renaissance styles across the city. Your first pit stop can be the Prague Castle which is the present residence of the president of the country. It is the largest castle complex, and within the walls, tourists can also visit the Powder Tower, St. George's Basilica and the St. Vitus Cathedral. The entry fee to the castle is around Rs.1,340. The Staromestske Namesti is the most significant square in the city and also has the Old Town Hall, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the Rococo Kinsky Palace. Antique lovers could visit the National Museum too. It is open from 9 AM-6 PM and has an entry fee of Rs.375.

Your next stop could be the Charles Bridge, and a stroll across it is mesmerizing. The Clementinum houses the National Library that has some of the most historical collections on the continent. The Lobkowicz Palace contains globally renowned paintings and manuscripts. The entry fee is Rs.1,010. Animal lovers can also visit the Prague Zoo that has over 676 different species spread over 58 hectares. It is open from 9 AM-4 PM and has an entry fee of Rs.630 for adults and Rs.470 for children.

To spend time, take a cruise on the Vltava, walk the backstreets of the quiet Mala Strana or visit the numerous nightclubs to spruce up your night.

You can get good hotels starting at Rs.3,200 per night.

The city is set between the mountains and the sea and is known for its beaches and nightlife. The most famous monument is Christ the Redeemer that overlooks the city from a height of over 700 metres. Online tickets are available at Rs.2,400. Jet set to the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Prainha, Barra da Tijuca and the Grumari among others. The Lapa Arches is an 18th-century aqueduct with two stories of arches that are worth visiting.

You can visit the opera house - Theatro Municipal located in the city centre and the Parque Lage – a beautiful park at the foot of the Corcovado. Football fans must visit the renowned Maracana Stadium. The Tijuca National Park is the world’s largest urban forest and is open from 8 AM-5 PM. A jeep tour costs around Rs.5,000.

The Sugarloaf Mountain is a monolithic granite and quartz mountain that can also be reached through a cable car. The admission fee is Rs.1,615 per person. While going up, tourists also visit the Morro da Urca that is also an excellent place for hiking. The admission fee is around Rs.3,010.

Double rooms at any budget hotel start from Rs.2,000 for a double room per night.

Sydney is known to have the best beaches in the southern hemisphere with its beautiful beaches and equally mesmerizing tourist spots. You can start the tour by visiting the Opera House, which is an architectural wonder. It is open from 9 AM-5 PM, and the entry fee is Rs.2,080. Your next stop could be Port Jackson, where you cannot miss the Sydney Harbor National Park and the main tourist attraction – the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The Madame Tussaud's near Darling Harbour is another major attraction. It is open from 10 AM-6 PM and the e-ticket costs Rs.2,450.

Wildlife enthusiasts have plenty of options at the Taronga Zoo, Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. The aquarium has over 13,000 animals. Antique lovers can visit the Museum of Sydney and the Nicholson Museum. The fun lovers can visit the vast beaches of Sydney; among them, the Bondi Beach is the most renowned one. Other beaches are the Bronte, Maroubra, Cronulla and Tamarama. Hyde Park is where you can rest amid a whirlwind sightseeing spree. You can also set out on harbour cruises.

You may get a suitable double room from Rs.2,200 per night.

Paris is known to be the city of love where couples generally visit for their honeymoon. You can start your romantic getaway by visiting the Eiffel Tower. To take a lift to the top, you need to pay Rs.1,400. A stroll at the Parc des Buttes Chaumont or through the Montmartre neighbourhood lined with shops is what couples would love.

A river island is always enjoyable, and the Seine has it too. The curious can visit the Île Saint Louis for a stroll. And why not take a stroll along the Seine itself! A picnic at the Luxembourg Gardens or the Parc des Buttes Chaumont will also bring you together. Couples can also visit the Arc de Triomphe - a famous monument of Paris.

If you are in Paris, you must not miss the famous monuments like Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Palais Garnier, and the Louvre Museum. The budget hotels in Paris start from Rs.3,300 per night for a double room.

Mauritius can be a great winter escape as the summer temperatures usually hover around 25 degrees Celsius. Apart from the beaches, Le Morne Brabant is the ideal place to visit for the newly-weds. The panoramic view from the mountain-top is lovely. The entry fee is around Rs.1,890. The Chamarel Waterfall forms a natural pool and an ideal place for couples to get cosy. You can also take a hike to the Ile Aux Cerfs and have a barbecue under the sky.

You can also go paragliding, kayaking or snorkelling on the sea. Nature lovers can also take a walk down the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden. A catamaran cruise on the high seas will also be rejuvenating. When in Mauritius, do visit the Pereybere Beach, Le Morne Beach and Flic en Flac Beach for some frolic in the sea.

Bali is an excellent place for honeymooning couples due to its beautiful beaches. The panoramic sea view from the Uluwatu is something you cannot miss. Mount Batur and Mount Agung are also trekking locations that you can enjoy. Take some pictures with the active volcano in the background. Also, try to reach Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen in Surabaya. Both of these are active volcanoes, and you need to check whether the authorities are allowing tourists to these places.

Getting cozy under a waterfall is also something to remember for quite some time. The GitGit Waterfalls & Sekumpul will provide you with such an opportunity. For sea lovers, the serene seas beaches are worth visiting – Seminyak, Kuta, Legian along with the quieter beaches of Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, and Sanur. The rowdier ones can also visit the beach clubs. If you prefer a serene environment, you may take a boat ride to Nusa Penida. Budget hotels are available from Rs.1,500 for a double room.